President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has reportedly garnered sufficient support for Senate confirmation.
Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran and former Fox News host, has been a steadfast advocate for strengthening America’s defense capabilities and eliminating progressive policies that have weakened military effectiveness.
However, shortly after his nomination, allegations emerged accusing Hegseth of past misconduct.
He has been accused of a 2017 sexual assault—a claim he vehemently denies.
His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, asserts that the encounter was consensual and that Hegseth only agreed to a financial settlement to protect his career from unfounded accusations.
Notably, no charges were filed, and the case was closed without further action.
Despite the lack of credible evidence, some Senate Republicans have expressed hesitation regarding Hegseth’s nomination.
Senator Lindsey Graham described the allegations as “very disturbing,” while Senator Joni Ernst, herself a survivor of sexual assault, has pledged a “thorough vetting” of Hegseth.
In response to concerns about his past alcohol consumption, Hegseth has pledged to abstain from drinking if confirmed as Secretary of Defense, according to The Hill.
Hegseth has engaged in extensive discussions with Republican senators to address concerns.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has scheduled Hegseth’s confirmation hearing for January 14, according to ABC News.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Thune reportedly told Trump that Hegseth has the votes to become Secretary of Defense.
CBS News reported:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has privately told President-elect Donald Trump that he believes Pete Hegseth will have the votes to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense, according to three sources.
When asked for comment, a spokesman for Thune would only tell CBS News, “Two things we don’t discuss publicly: Whip counts and private conversations with the president.”
The new Senate Majority Leader in an interview with “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” promised a fair process but expressed more caution.
“I think these are nominees who are new enough, they’ve been going around and conducting their meetings, which I think, frankly, have gone very well, but they still have to make their case in front of the committee. And, you know, we don’t know all the information about some of these nominees.”
